Since the signalling system is the backbone and one of the most vital systems for railway operations, this novel approach will help predict failures and get real-time information with the help of AI.

Because the Railways exercise a manual maintenance system currently, the chances of signals failing and then requiring repair are a lot more frequent.

This system of remote monitoring is operational in Britain and will come as a relief to the Indian transport giant since failed signals are a leading cause of train delays and accidents.

It will not only predict but also take measures to prevent such signalling failures.

Speaking to the Economic Times, a senior Railway Ministry official said, “Now, we are introducing remote condition monitoring using non-intrusive sensors for continuous online monitoring of signals, track circuits, axle counters and their sub-systems of interlocking, power supply systems including the voltage and current levels, relays, timers.”

Under this system the Railways will be able to collect all inputs at decided intervals and send this information to one central location, thereby detecting any discrepancies or flaws in the signalling system in real time.

This will help them undertake to repair or rectifying measures immediately to avoid delays and mishaps.

The data will be transferred using a wireless medium (3G, 4G and high-speed mobile) and data based on these inputs will be utilised, with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI), for predictive and prescriptive Big Data analytics, reported the publication.

The system will be used on a trial basis in two sections of Western Railway and South Western Railway at Ahmedabad-Vadodara and Bengaluru-Mysuru. The extension of the system to other sections of the Railways will depend on the feedback received through the pilot project.